Tuesday, August 4, 2009

175th Wing welcomes new commander

by Master Sgt. Lou DeVeaux175th Wing Public Affairs

8/4/2009 - BALTIMORE -- During a ceremony deeply rooted in military history, men and women of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, witnessed the assumption of command by Col. Scott L. Kelly at a ceremony held at Warfield Air National Guard Base on Aug 1.

Although Colonel Kelly has been serving as the wing commander since June 22, this ceremony marked the formal recognition of the changeover and was his first opportunity to address the assembled unit.

Following an introduction of distinguished members and guests, Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, The Adjutant General, Maryland National Guard, spoke of the challenges facing Colonel Kelly.

"You will bear the responsibility for ensuring the success of the organization while taking care of the men and women under your command." said General Adkins. The general challenged Colonel Kelly to "develop the junior leaders in this command for their senior assignments in the years to come."

Brig. Gen. Guy M. Walsh, the outgoing wing commander, is deployed to Afghanistan where he recently assumed command of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. General Walsh is the first National Guard officer to command an active duty wing in combat.

With the men and women of the wing at attention, General Adkins presented the wing headquarters guidon to Colonel Kelly who proudly responded, "Sir, I assume command."

Colonel Kelly expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the men and women of the 175th, adding, "I'm extremely excited and ready to get to work."

Prior to assuming command, Colonel Kelly was the vice commander of the 175th Wing.

Colonel Kelly is a command pilot with over 3,700 military flying hours. He has flown the T-37, T-38, AT-38 and the A-10. He is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism.

Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, passes the 175th Wing Headquarters guidon to Col. Scott L. Kelly, commander of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, during the wing assumption of command ceremony held at the Warfield Air National Guard Base on August 1, 2009. Hi-res

Biography of Col. Scott L. Kelly

Col. Scott L. Kelly is the Commander of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland.

Col. Kelly was born in Greer, South Carolina and received his commission in May 1983 as a graduate of The Citadel. After completing undergraduate pilot training, he flew the T-38 as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot. He served as Instructor Pilot, Standardization and Evaluation Check Pilot and Assistant Flight Commander assigned to the 86th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He transitioned to the A-10 Thunderbolt II as a fighter pilot, instructor pilot and flight commander assigned to the 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England Air Force Base, Louisiana. In August 1990 the 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm and returned following the Gulf War in March 1991.

Col. Kelly was assigned to the 175th Fighter Group, Maryland Air National Guard in December 1991 as an active duty liaison/advisor and served as Chief of Plans and Chief of the Exercise Evaluation Team. December 1994, he was appointed Initial Cadre member of the new A-10 70th Fighter Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia where he served as the Assistant and the Director of Operations. In October 1997, he left active duty to join the Maryland Air National Guard as a fulltime Active/Guard/Reserve member.

Col. Kelly has served as the Chief of Programming, Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, Fighter Squadron Commander and 175th Operations Group Commander. He has served as the 175th Mission Support Group Commander since November 2005.

Col. Kelly is a Command Pilot with over 3700 military flying hours. He has flown the T-37, T-38, AT-38 and the A-10. Colonel Kelly flew 92.5 hours and 40 Combat Sorties during Operation Desert Storm. Col. Kelly deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the 455th Expeditionary Group Vice Commander from January - July 2003.

The 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flew 3,038.4 hours and 1,180 sorties during Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with five devices; Aerial Achievement Medal with six devices; Air Force Commendation Medal with two devices; Air Force Achievement Medal with one device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device; Combat Readiness Medal with six devices; National Defense Service Medal with one device; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal with two devices; Air Force Overseas (Short Tour); Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon; AF Longevity Service with four devices; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, AF Training Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one 'M' device; Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait; Maryland Meritorious Service Medal; Maryland Commendation Medal.

EDUCATION:

1979 Graduate of Greer High School, South Carolina1983 Bachelor of Arts Degree, The Citadel, South Carolina1987 Squadron Officer School1999 Air Command and Staff College2002 Air War College

Dedicated in Love

This blog is dedicated to Marina Naumann, my latest female partner who died after incurable pancreas cancer on June 17, 2010, just only a half year after diagnosis. Marina was the second true wife in my life, and she always supported my long-year enthusiastic research work on the Hog, especially since the beginning of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Rest in peace, Marina.